Palm Springs Chamber Recognizes Local Businesses

The City of Palm Springs is experiencing a historic renaissance as one of the hippest, most happening, ultra-cool resort destinations in the country – and with local businesses thriving, the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present its annual Awards Luncheon and Installation on Tuesday, June 13th. Tickets for the luncheon are $70.00 per person, tables of 10 are available. The Title Sponsors are the City of Palm Springs and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
The 11:30 a.m. event at the Renaissance Palm Springs, 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, will honor a galaxy of city stars that include:

Steve Hermann, L’Horizon Resort, “Business Person of the Year” – Steve Hermann is a celebrated designer of high-end homes all over the world. As one of the most prolific designers within California, he is known as the design guru for the Hollywood elite, captains of industry, and foreign royalty. His innovative and imaginative homes are owned by A-list celebrities, entertainment executives and members of the Forbes top ten wealthiest list.

West Elm, “Large Business of the Year” – West Elm was born in Brooklyn in 2002. They design over 90% of their products in-house and their design team has steadily increased their selection of organic, handcrafted, sustainably sourced and Fair Trade Certified products. With over 85+ stores in U.S. cities and international locations ,West Elm has been a great addition to the City of Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Florist, “Medium Size Business of the Year” – Palm Springs Florist is celebrating their 70th year in the desert! They have been serving our community with stunning flower designs since 1947. Family owned and operated florist includes a professional team of florists who can help you find the perfect flowers for any individual or occasion and can even create a custom bouquet to fit your unique needs.

Christopher Kennedy, “PS I Love You Award” – Christopher Kennedy has quickly and not-so-quietly emerged as one of the nation’s freshest voices in home furnishings and interior design. Working from Palm Springs, his name is quickly becoming synonymous with Jet Set modern luxury and vibrant California glamour. Christopher’s work and products have captured the attention of such leading publications as Architectural Digest, Dwell Magazine, Elle Décor, Luxe Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times.

Willie Rhine & John Paschal, Eight4Nine, “Entrepreneur of the Year” – Located in the fashionable Uptown Design District of Palm Springs, EIGHT4NINE Restaurant and Lounge offers a welcoming and friendly atmosphere whether it’s for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Weekend Brunch, or Happy Hour. Their singular goal is to provide you the best dining experience possible, whether looking for an intimate dinner for two or if you want to celebrate life’s special moments with hundreds of friends

The Parker Hotel, “Icon Award” – The ultimate desert escape. The Parker Palm Springs is a place to relax, retreat and indulge. Built as an estate and designed by Jonathan Adler, the Parker Palm Springs boasts 144 rooms including 12 villas and a 2-bedroom house on 13 lush acres. There are 3 restaurants - Norma’s (of NY fame), Mister Parker’s a sexy, dark and seductive French bistro and the Lemonade Stand, perfect for an afternoon bite or cocktail.

Richard Crisman and Jeff Brock, Sparrows Lodge & Holiday House “Investment Award” – The Sparrows was acquired by Jeff Brock and Richard Crisman, transitioning it from the Sparrows Hotel to the Sparrows Lodge. The Sparrows Lodge on East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs is perhaps the only one like it in the Coachella Valley. The Lodge has a modern rustic vibe that carries through its rooms, communal barn, outdoor fire pit and vegetable garden, accented by a collection of fine art including works by Ruscha, Kelly, Katz & Baldesari.

Steve Huffman, Latitude 33, “Business Transformation Award” - Steve Huffman has spent the last 28 years specializing in apartments. His extensive multifamily experience includes brokerage, ownership, management, and financing. Steve has rehabilitated over a dozen apartment buildings over the past years. He has assisted clients on the successful closings of over 300 apartment escrows on properties ranging from 5 to 408 units throughout the western United States. The latest project was the revitalized Latitude 33 Apartments in Downtown Palm Springs which underwent a down-to-the-studs reconstruction. This 121 unit property was completely vacated and remodelled inside and out.

Debby Alexander, Peabody’s Cafe “Hometown Appreciation Award “- Debby Alexander’s Peabody's Cafe opened in 1992 as a coffee house. Over the years they became a full restaurant and bar serving simple American food with a Southern California twist. Most everything is made fresh to order. They serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch daily. You can also join them on Friday and Saturday nights when they stay open later for Karaoke.

Eric and Lindsey Bennett, Desert Flippers “Superstar Award” - Wisconsin transplants Eric and Lindsey Bennett are transforming sunny Palm Springs, California one dilapidated house at a time. Renovating 20 properties a year while raising three small children is no small feat, and this couple takes it in stride. But when you go behind the walls of houses that live in triple-digit heat, you never know what you might find, scorpions, rattlesnakes, black widows and even squatters. In each episode of Desert Flippers, Eric and Lindsey search out a diamond in the rough, but they might find something that's just plain rough.

Susan Davis, Desert X “Community Vision Award” - From February 25 through April 30, 2017, the Coachella Valley and its desert landscape became the canvas for a curated exhibition of site-specific work by established and emerging artists, whose projects amplified and articulated global and local issues that ranged from climate change to starry skies, from tribal culture and immigration to tourism, gaming, and golf. The art works, in various indoor and outdoor locations, were available free and offered visitors a way to see the valley and reflect on serious and playful issues through the lens of the participating artists' creativity and work.

Erik Hale, Locale Magazine “Buzz Award” - Erik Hale is the visionary and publisher behind LOCALE Magazine. He launched the magazine in 2010, wanting to give the community of OC a premier lifestyle magazine that knew all the native knowledge behind Orange County.

In addition, Thomas Burnett and Eric Nicoll will be honored as Chamber Ambassadors of the Year and outgoing Chamber president Carolyn Caldwell will turn the President’s Gavel over to Steven Henke of Desert Aids Project.

“It’s definitely an “A” list of fabulous honorees this year,” said Nona Watson, CEO of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to celebrate the innovative people and businesses that have contributed to the Palm Springs renaissance and make our magical city like no place else.”